Each Academy squad consists of the most committed and talented players as identified by our Technical Staff through an evaluation process. Returning Academy or Competitive players are not subject to formal tryouts, since they are evaluated routinely over the course of their previous season. Players considered "new" (those who did not play competitively with the club in the most recent season) must register for an evaluation. This is done via PowerUp, our registration platform – look for a product that includes the term "Evaluation Fee" once logged in. New players will then be contacted by the relevant Staff Coach to formally set up an on-field evaluation. These often take place within the structure of existing programs themselves, to give our staff the best possible chance of placing each player in the most appropriate environment.

Returning players should simply register for the "Base Competitive Fee" on PowerUp to be considered for the following season. Note that players who participated in the program in one season are not necessarily guaranteed a position in the same program the following season. New groups are formed every season with each player's current ability and development in mind.

Following the evaluation period, trialists will be notified of their evaluation result by their respective Staff Coach. Players will be placed at the level that currently best suits their ability, with their long-term development in mind. Players who are selected for the program will be sent an Academy Program invitation letter, which will invite them to accept a position in the squad for the season.

The U9 to U12 Academy program features a squad approach that ensures players are continuously challenged and exposed to more than just a dozen players. This helps foster a healthy training environment that keeps things fresh and allows for player movement during the season. Players are only placed on team rosters for weekly matchplay, and while continuing to work with the entire squad in training sessions. This format enables them to develop positive relationships with all of their "squadmates", play at the level that is currently best for them, and develop a truly development-centric mindset, while competing against other teams and clubs around the region and province. Teams will participate in a mix of 7v7 (U9-U10) or 9v9 (U11-U12) games, whether it be in the form of league play, intrasquad matches, festivals/tournaments or other small-sided games.

Training sessions are led for the entire squad by our Academy Staff and are designed primarily to focus on building individual skill, as is recommended by Canada Soccer and numerous studies for children at these ages. Basic principles of play aligned with the club's game model are also introduced, helping developing well-rounded players that understand the game. Our technical plan incorporates a blend of station-style exercises and small-sided match play, ensuring that players can develop through repetition first, and then have the opportunity to apply their learnings in realistic game scenarios at the level that suits them. In the long run, the goal of the Academy is to produce two solid squads by U13, that will compete at the provincial level in our High Performance Academy and at the regional level in our Regional Academy respectively.

If you have questions, please contact the Staff Coach for your program by clicking on their name below!

U9-U10 Boys Staff Coach: Abdoul Barry

Having played at the university level in France and contributed to developing the game in multiple communities around the world, Abdoul now oversees our U9-U10 Boys programs at the club. His coaching journey since moving to Canada has seen him coach at fellow OPDL club Markham FC and work with other programs at Ottawa TFC, including our U7-U8 Pre Academy, U11-U12 Academy and U13 Regional team.

U11-U12 Boys Staff Coaches: Kaden Engbers & Will Francoeur

Kaden serves as Ottawa TFC's Associate Technical Director. Having grown up playing his entire youth career with OTFC's predecessor Cumberland Cobras, he is now involved in multiple areas of the club and has led our Grassroots Program since 2018, while also co-leading the U11-U12 Boys Academy & Competitive programs. Kaden holds a National Children's Diploma, the highest available Canada Soccer license for programs of this age group, and serves as a captain for our Men's First Team.

After having now played in the club's Grassroots, Competitive, Academy and Adults programs over the course of nearly 20 years, Will has grown into a key role that includes a decade of coaching in those very programs, primarily in the U9-U12 Boys Academy and other Grassroots programs. He has also led marketing efforts on social media and behind the scenes, in addition to bringing other projects to life... including this website! He holds a Canada Soccer C-License and co-leads the U11-U12 Boys program.

U9-U10 Girls Staff Coach: Jordan Lundin

While she is perhaps best known for her charisma and energy, Jordan first made her name as one of the top female players produced in Ottawa. Her talents not only allowed her to represent Eastern Ontario at the provincial level, but to be included in the Big South's all-decade team for her NCAA D1 career at Radford University. Since returning from the US, she has developed into an important asset at the club across the Girls Academy programs; she now head coaches our Senior Girls OPDL team and leads our U8-U10 Girls programs.

U11-U12 Girls Staff Coach: Caleb Mallette

Caleb is yet another key cog in the Ottawa TFC machine who has grown up at the club since a very young age. Having first started as a player in the Academy, Caleb has since worked with just about every Girls Academy group at the club and now leads the U11-U12 programs while serving as an assistant coach in our High Performance Academy. He holds a Canada Soccer Children's Diploma and has also played an important role in developing the club behind the scenes for a number of years.

Registration, PowerUp or payment questions: register@ottawatfc.com

Learn more about our club staff by visiting our Staff page.

We are always looking to strengthen our coaching staff and add passionate and experienced leaders to our ranks. There are also a variety of ways to contribute to your child's program by volunteering off the field. If you are interested in helping us make the program better, please visit our Coaching, Employment and Volunteering page and fill out the interest form to let us know!

The exact weekly schedule is still to be determined for the pre-season (Apr.-May) and will be communicated as soon as possible by our staff coaches. Below are the anticipated training days for each program once we move to grass fields at Millennium, starting in late May:

• U9-U12 Boys: Tue/Thu/Sat training (games Sun.)
• U9-U10 Girls: Mon/Wed/Sat training (games Sun.)
• U11-U12 Girls: Tue/Thu/Sat training (games Sun.)

While U9-U12 Academy games have traditionally taken place on Sundays in the past, a variety of options are being explored by the club. Therefore, games may occur at various times during weekends, and at an irregular frequency.

Note that the anticipated training days listed above are always subject to change as we manage facilities, league games and staff commitments across a variety of programs. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Academy teams will also participate in at least one tournament outside the city of Ottawa, in addition to other events within the city. More details will be communicated by staff coaches at the start of the season.

The registration fee includes an Ottawa TFC training shirt, which will be handed out during the pre-season.

Other club gear items will be required for players accepted into the program, such as game uniforms, shorts, socks and a backpack – more information will be communicated by staff coaches at the start of the season.

Uniforms and club apparel can be purchased online directly from our supplier. For any questions related to the club apparel orders, please use the Contact Us section on the supplier's website to request more information.

Players are required to wear the proper uniforms and gear, in addition to the usual cleats and shin pads, to all training sessions, games and team events.

Enthusiastic players who wish to have an additional training session each week can register for the optional Skills Centre session. This session typically takes place on Friday evenings at Millennium, with our Academy staff and strongest youth coaches. For more details, visit the Skills Centre program page here. The club also invites committed Academy players to sign up for the Morning Training sessions, which take place bright and early on Friday mornings!

Ottawa TFC also offers a specialized program for goalkeepers, which is heavily recommended for Academy players who are either exploring this unique position or already committed to it. For more details, visit the GK Training program page here.

Ottawa TFC will be taking a summer break during which programs will not run, unless otherwise stated. This season's break will take place between Monday July 21 and Sunday August 3, 2025. Activities will be resuming as scheduled on Monday August 4, 2025.

Applicable registration fees

• Evaluation fee: $65 (new players only)
  • Players who participated in Academy or Competitive programs during the Summer 2024 season are not required to pay this fee. Any other players are considered "new" and subject to this evaluation fee.
• Base Competitive fee: $280
  • All players looking to play in Academy or Competitive programs for the season must pay this initial fee upon registration. Players who are not selected will see this fee credited/refunded.
  • Players will not be considered registered (and therefore not considered for squad selection at the start of the season) until this fee is paid or instalments are set up.
• Academy fee: $600 - $750
  • This additional program fee will be added to the accounts of selected players once they have accepted their invitation to the Academy program.
  • Note that as of Summer 2024, the Academy fee now includes tournament fees for the events selected by the Technical Staff.
• Non-volunteer fee (1 per family per season): $55
  • Fee is credited into accounts at the end of the season for those who volunteer with the club. Visit our Volunteering page to find volunteer opportunities!

Financial assistance: Ottawa TFC works with valued organizations and community partners to help families needing support for their child (or children) to be able to play soccer and be healthy. Visit our Financial Assistance page for more information.

Withdrawals: visit our Refunds & Withdrawals page to request a credit or refund. All refunds are subject to the Refund Policy. Only approved requests will be processed. Note that evaluation fees are non-refundable.